Pre-order the MG Android Gaming Device for $99 (Retail $169) by September 27th

I could not be more excited about the new MG from PlayMG!!!! My kids ask me every 2 minutes for my mobile phone when they have nothing else to do. Finally I can keep it to myself while the kids occupy themselves with their own device that plays everything my phone can.

Have you checked out the MG yet? You MUST see it. The moment Karen shared this with me I was ecstatic about the whole thing. Go to Kickstarter and check it out. Show your kids, they will go bananas. Heck, I went bananas! My kids aren't ready for a smartphone and can't be trusted with a tablet, the MG is the PERFECT solution.

The MG is a portable gaming device a lot like a mobile phone, but without actually being a phone. It plays the same 60,000+ games available to any phone, both free and paid apps. It is small and designed to be portable but also ergonomic like a game controller. You can preload your account with money so your kids can buy apps without hassling you. The MG can also be set up for parental monitoring.


If you pre-order the MG by September 27th you can save $70!!! This thing is a no brainer for the holidays! Can you tell I am excited about this? Kickstarter is a site that startups can use to help fund their product or service. By making an investment in the product (like the MG) you can earn perks like a fantastic discount or a free MG!

Look for our upcoming review of the MG gaming device coming up this fall!

Giveaway & Review: Leapster Explorer plus Toy Story 3 Game (ARV $95) [CLOSED]

Up until last month, I thought that the Leapster2 from LeapFrog was one of the best inventions of all time. Now, having experienced the capabilities of the new Leapster Explorer, I have to say that there is a new favorite in our household. The Leapster Explorer has a larger higher resolution screen than the Leapster2. It also has over four times the amount of memory and processing power. In the words of my 6yr old son, "This new Leapster is totally cool!!"

Our six year old is going to be accompanying me and my husband to the BlogHer 2010 convention this year. This handheld game is a must to take with us on this trip. My son will be able to play games, read books, draw, use flash cards, and much more without my having to fill half a suitcase with all those things.

The Leapster Explorer plays both cartridge games and apps called Leaplets that you download. There will be a total of 40 cartridge games and Leaplets available by the end of 2010. Speaking of the end of the year, coming this fall will be an attachment that plugs right into the bottom of the unit that will turn your Leapster Explorer into a digital camera and camcorder.

Some other things I love about the Leapster Explorer is that it is rechargeable. I can see what is on the screen while sitting next to my son, rather than having to look at the screen straight-on. The touch screen is very durable. Sometimes my son is playing a game and I see him tap-tap-tapping his little heart out and I worry that he is going to damage the touch screen, but it does not even put a mark on it.

One major issue I have with my son is that, when there is a choice of levels, he always wants to choose the easiest. The Leapster Explorer solves this problem for me. It starts off easy to build his confidence, but it self-adjusts by reacting to how well my son is doing. For example, one day I overheard him playing a game about different types of triangles. He was learning about isosceles and scalene triangles. I thought this was so great! Nobody else would think to teach a kindergartner these things. The Leapster Explorer was doing this all on its own. Although I can connect the unit online to record his progress, I did not need to do this in order for the game to increase in difficulty.

I must mention that this handheld comes with a a preloaded app called the Pet Pad. This is one of my son's favorite activities to do on the Leapster Explorer. It was ingenious of LeapFrog to have a virtual pet included with the unit. My son loves that the pet makes appearances within some of the other games. The Explorer also comes with a code for a free download of one Leaplet.

Leapster Explorer Specs:

• Uses a Linux-based operating system
• 3.2" screen
• 320x240 resolution
• 512MB memory
• 400MHz processor
• 250 to 300 MB download capacity
• Retails for $69.99
• Comes in green or pink
• Recommended for ages 4 to 9

The only improvement I can recommend is that the unit could be slightly lighter in weight. Even though it may not seem heavy at first, after playing for a period of time, your hands and wrists do become quite tired.

If you need any recommendations for games and Leaplets, my son especially loves The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Plushy Rescue and he found the Leaplet Jewel Train to be very addictive.

The floor date for the Leapster Explorer is July 15th, 2010. You can pre-order your Explorer online now through several major toy and electronics retailers. If you pre-order by July 1st, you can receive Free Shipping and a Free Leaplet Card Pack at select retailers. You can place your order at Toys R Us and Toys R Us Canada, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, Sears, Amazon.com, and of course LeapFrog.com .

Thank you to LeapFrog for providing us with a sample unit, games, and apps free of charge to base this review upon and for providing another unit plus one game as our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Leapster Explorer plus the Disney Pixar Toy Story 3 game cartridge (ARV $95)

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of Leapster Explorer Games and Leaplets. Then leave a comment telling me which product you think would be the most fun for a child you know. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND LeapFrog.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry, follow LeapFrog on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Review: "My Amusement Park" Leapster Game

My nearly 6 year old son has owned a Leapster 2 for a little over a year. Although he seemed to like it okay, I had never seen him play for a long period of time. I just thought that maybe he was not so interested in handheld games since he barely shows any interest in console gaming. Well, that is what I thought until now.

The new Scholastic Leapster game My Amusement Park has turned my son into a gamer. It seems to be a trend that my son will not spend time on a new game because he is intimidated by the unfamiliar, he does not like timed activities, and he just does not like to make mistakes. (I wonder where he gets that from.)

After I sat with my son and showed him how fun this new game was, he was more relaxed and has been playing it for an hour or two daily. I think what mainly attracts my son to this game is the ability to build his own amusement park. The concept is fairly simple. He earns virtual dollars by playing games, responding to alerts telling him something needs attention in his park, or by painting his attractions. Then he can in turn spend these dollars on building new attractions, which include food stands, game booths, and rides.

Although this game touches on spelling and mathematics, it mainly concentrates on fostering creativity, problem solving skills, memory skills, and deductive reasoning. There are also games and activities that teach your child food and recycling categories. Most of the activities allow your child to select a difficulty level of 1, 2, or 3. My son has a tendency to always choose level 1 even though the activities are not challenging at all for him. I need to give him a little nudge to test the waters of level 2.



While I was watching my son play this game last night, he said to me, "This game is a lot of fun, but I'm not learning anything." The fact was that he actually was learning and he didn't know it, which is perfectly fine. This game exercises my son's brain in an entertaining way just as crossword puzzles do for me.

Currently, the Leapster Learning Game: Scholastic My Amusement Park can be found on Leapfrog.com at a reduced price for the holidays. You should also be able to find this new game most places where Leapfrog products are sold.


Thank you to Leapfrog for providing a sample game for this review.

"Get Cool For School" Giveaway #23: $200 KidsCoats GC, Leapfrog Didj, Suzi Homemaker GC (2 Winners) [CLOSED]

Get Cool For School! Giveaway #23

Go to all Get Cool For School Contests

Please take a moment to meet our sponsors . . .

KidsCoats.com is your place to find Corky Coats by Corky & Co for boys and for girls online. With a variety of choices you are sure to find something to fit the kiddo in your life!

LeapFrog offers a wide variety of fun and educational toys for kids of any age. Featuring interactive activities which keep kiddos engaged and happy with learning, LeapFrog encourages kids to learn in a fun way. Worried that your child will get bored with their LeapFrog system after a little bit? Not to worry, LeapFrog offers plenty of additional learning games, books, and activities to go with all of their systems.

Suzi Homemaker is a “Mom-owned” custom embroidery and sewing business specializing in personalized baby and children’s gifts, as well as linens, school uniforms and logo wear for work, family reunions and more!

What you can win:
One lucky reader will win ALL the items listed below. Another winner will receive a $150 GC to KidsCoats.com!

$200 GC to KidsCoats.Com

LeapFrog Didj

Made for ages 6-10, the LeapFrog Didj is the first ever handheld gaming device that connects to your computer to let you fully customize your child's learning and playing experience. The games can be synced with your child's skill levels and what they are studying in school and you can even download their spelling words and math problems directly onto the handheld device. Players play for points when using their Didj and when they connect and go online those points can be traded in in order to sutomize games with characters , music, backgrounds and more!

$20 GC to Suzi Homemaker

These are the 8 blogs participating in this giveaway event. You can gain additional entries for this contest by entering on all 8 blogs.

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

As They Grow Up

Blessings Abound Mommy

Experimental Mommy

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Momstart

The Shopping Mama

What Mommies Need

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, we will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:
1) Visit KidsCoats.Com and tell us what you would buy with your winnings.

2) Visit Leap Frog and tell us what Didj game or what other Leap Frog system your family would be intersted in.

3) Visit Suzi Homemaker and leave a comment with whatyou would buy with your GC if you win.

You MUST do ALL THREE to be eligible to win this contest, but you will receive one entry for each completed mandatory entry provided you leave a separate comment for each.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments telling me the title of the post you left your comment on. You will earn 5 extra entries for each non-giveaway post you leave a comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites

4) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

5) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this as often as you wish until the end of the contest.

7) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

8) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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9) Add my "Get Cool For School" giveaway event button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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10) Add my "Monterey Car Seat" giveaway button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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Now go visit the other participating blogs to obtain additional entries for this contest!

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)

Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

"Get Cool For School" Giveaway #10: Melissa & Doug Playfoods, Fancy Fortune Cookies, Leapster 2 [CLOSED]

Get Cool For School! Giveaway #10

Go to all Get Cool For School Contests

Please take a moment to meet our sponsors . . .

Melissa & Doug is a common household name for those who have children. This company is best known for their children's wooden puzzles, their oversized stuffed animals, and a wide variety of other "green" wooden toys. Although many of the toys offered by Melissa & Doug are learning toys, all the toys are offered are both colorful and fun to play with.

Fancy Fortune Cookies offers gourmet fortune cookies with custom printed fortunes for all occasions. These tasty cookies are perfect for birthday parties, office parties, unique personalized gifts, and even can be color-coordinated with your wedding colors to use as wedding favors. How about packing them in you children's lunches with a special message inside just for them?

LeapFrog offers a wide variety of fun and educational toys for kids of any age. Featuring interactive activities which keep kiddos engaged and happy with learning, LeapFrog encourages kids to learn in a fun way. Worried that your child will get bored with their LeapFrog system after a little bit? Not to worry, LeapFrog offers plenty of additional games and learning books and activities to go with all of their systems.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will win ALL the items listed below.

3 Sets of Melissa & Doug Play Foods

Play Food Groups

Pretend Cutting Bread Set

Pretend Pizza Party

30-Day Supply of Fancy Fortune Cookies

Fancy Fortune Cookies Review

Winner can choose the flavor and custom printed fortunes for their 30-day supply of fortune cookies.

Leapster 2

Leapster 2 Review

Made for ages 4-8 the Leap Frog Leapster2 is an interactive handheld gaming system which slips learning into your child's video games...no more worrying about if you child should really be playing video games that much! Featuring a variety of games there is sure to be something out there to interest your kiddo, and best of all this system is perfect for on the go, but it can also be connected to your home computer where you can play extra games and earn fun rewards online.

These are the 8 blogs participating in this giveaway event. You can gain additional entries for this contest by entering on all 8 blogs.

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

As They Grow Up

Blessings Abound Mommy

Experimental Mommy

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Momstart

The Shopping Mama

What Mommies Need

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, we will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
1) Visit the Melissa & Doug website and tell us one toy that caught your eye (aside from the 3 featured in this contest).

2) Take a look at the assortment of cookies offered at FancyFortuneCookies.com. Then leave a comment telling us which one looks the tastiest to you.

3) Visit Leap Frog and tell us what Leapster2 Game or what other Leap Frog system you would choose for your child.

You MUST do ALL THREE to be eligible to win this contest, but you will receive one entry for each completed mandatory entry provided you leave a separate comment for each.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments telling me the title of the post you left your comment on. You will earn 5 extra entries for each non-giveaway post you leave a comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites

4) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

5) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this as often as you wish until the end of the contest.

7) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

8) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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9) Add my "Get Cool For School" giveaway event button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq213/ABOGDesigns/Buttons%20N%20Tags/GetCool4School09.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

10) Add my "Monterey Car Seat" giveaway button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/3G2SMontereyBCS.png" /></a><br /><br />

Now go visit the other participating blogs to obtain additional entries for this contest!

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)

Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!